Lagos Government Orders Additional 100 Trucks from Dangote’s Assembly Plant as New CKD Plant is Commissioned
...Gov, Senators hail Dangote on impactful facility
Lagos Government Orders Additional 100 Trucks from Dangote’s Assembly Plant as New CKD Plant is Commissioned
Jerry Adesewo
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to purchase 100 additional compactor trucks from Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Ltd, following the commissioning of a new Completely Knocked Down (CKD) Plant by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The ceremony, held over the weekend, showcased the state-of-the-art assembly facility established by business magnate Aliko Dangote.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the event, emphasizing the high quality and precision of Dangote Sinotruk’s products. The new trucks are expected to enhance service delivery in the Lagos metropolis, building on the state’s previous acquisition of 102 compactor trucks for its Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in 2022.
The new CKD Plant, a multi-million dollar investment, aims to fabricate various types of trailers and tipper bodies, fostering domestic self-sufficiency and catering to the West African market. Dangote Industries Limited President and CEO, Aliko Dangote, highlighted the strategic importance of this investment in reducing imports and adding value to Nigeria’s heavy-duty truck assembling and manufacturing industry.
“We are playing a strategic and key role in developing the heavy-duty truck assembling and manufacturing industry in Nigeria. We are providing employment opportunities for Nigerians as well as improving the local automobile industry,” Dangote stated, underscoring the plant’s role in promoting technological advancement and economic development in Nigeria.
Senate President Akpabio praised the facility, noting its alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty. He stressed the federal government’s support for Dangote’s initiatives to ensure Nigeria achieves self-sufficiency in key sectors and encouraged other investors to emulate Dangote’s model of using wealth to benefit the nation.
Governor Sanwo-Olu lauded Dangote for transforming a dormant textile mill into a thriving vehicle assembly plant, highlighting the importance of partnerships in economic development. He also commended the group for embracing CNG-powered vehicles and promoting cost-effective and cleaner energy solutions.
The Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Limited plant, a $100 million joint venture, currently boasts a production capacity of 15-16 trucks per shift, translating to approximately 10,000 trucks annually. CEO Hikmat Thapa revealed plans to scale up capacity to 13,000 trucks annually with the new CKD plant, with a significant portion of the fabrication and assembly handled by trained Nigerians.
“We aim to meet the growing demand for reliable transportation across various sectors, including logistics, construction, and food and beverage industries,” Thapa added, emphasizing the plant’s commitment to producing a full range of commercial vehicles tailored to market needs.
The event marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s industrialization journey, showcasing the potential for local manufacturing to drive economic progress and provide employment opportunities.